Sam Burgess is ready to play Test match rugby now, England have been told ahead of their World Cup training squad announcement.

The ringing endorsement comes from former Red Rose coach Mike Ford, who has worked day in day out with the league legend since he switched codes.

But Ford, Bath's director of rugby, is talking about Burgess as a back row forward rather than an inside-centre, the position England have chosen to select him in.

"Do I think Sam could play international football at six now? Yes I do," said Ford. "Look at his workrate and what he does in terms of his carries and his tackles and hitting them rucks. It's pretty good - in fact it's very good.

"I think what's happened is because he's played six here the last four games his versatility has got England thinking that, potentially, he can cover two positions now. That adds another string to his bow, doesn't it?"

Eyes on the prize: The rugby league legend has switched to union

Ford acknowledges that many will look at what union rookie Burgess can't do rather than the skills he does possess.

He says that is a mistake - a lesson he learned when he was on the England management during a period which incorporated the last two World Cups.

"I remember being in selection meetings where we looked at it the wrong way, I believe in some respects," he said.

"I've learned from that what philosophy I want to use. It's a different way of looking at things. Let's look at what he can do.

"We're very much at Bath about what Sam can do. So we can't win a lineout with him there. We can't win one without him there at the moment!

"Working every day with him Stuart Lancaster is going to see a true, selfless leader who has the ability, during the pressure games, to say 'give me the ball and I'll do what I have to do for you - keep that control and perspective on things and not panic."

Ford added: "I think Sam would have been in the squad whether Manu Tuilagi was in it or not. Stuart wants to have a good look at him every day and potentially play him in a warm-up game and see how he goes."